ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - Croatia's European Integration Minister Ivan Jakovcic hopes the Council of Europe will soon end its monitoring mission in Croatia which, he said in Venice on Friday, is now willing to fulfil all conditions to
reach the final goal, namely full membership in the European Union (EU). Jakovcic is attending a conference of the European Commission for Democracy through Law, a body also known as the Venice Commission, which is in session on March 31 and April 1. The Commission, composed of Council of Europe legal experts, is in charge of following Croatia's compliance with obligations to the Council. Minister Jakovcic briefed the conference on the democratic changes which recently took place in Croatia and the new government's pro-Europe orientation, and its chief goal, full membership in the EU. Voicing hope the Council of Europe's monitoring in Croatia would soon end,
ZAGREB, March 31 (Hina) - Croatia's European Integration Minister
Ivan Jakovcic hopes the Council of Europe will soon end its
monitoring mission in Croatia which, he said in Venice on Friday, is
now willing to fulfil all conditions to reach the final goal, namely
full membership in the European Union (EU).
Jakovcic is attending a conference of the European Commission for
Democracy through Law, a body also known as the Venice Commission,
which is in session on March 31 and April 1. The Commission,
composed of Council of Europe legal experts, is in charge of
following Croatia's compliance with obligations to the Council.
Minister Jakovcic briefed the conference on the democratic changes
which recently took place in Croatia and the new government's pro-
Europe orientation, and its chief goal, full membership in the EU.
Voicing hope the Council of Europe's monitoring in Croatia would
soon end, Jakovcic said the government was willing to fulfil
conditions by the international community and the Council as a
condition to commence negotiations with the EU.
He announced changes in the Constitutional law on the protection of
human rights and the rights of ethnic and national communities. The
government will fulfil all conditions in connection with the rights
of minorities, Jakovcic asserted.
The Croatian government is also willing to co-operate with the war
crimes tribunal in The Hague and democratise its media, the
minister said. Part of his address also tackled the return of
refugees to pre-war homes.
The refugee return is not a political issue, but a purely economic
problem, Jakovcic said, adding international assistance must be
directed so as to enable the return of all refugees to other
countries in the region as well, regardless of their nationality.
The minister also announced the government's plans for
decentralisation, the strengthening of regions, and the
stimulation of regional and transborder co-operation with
neighbouring countries.
(hina) ha